Christmas Movies

Christmas time is here today and over the past few days I have been watching as many Christmas themed films as I can. These always get me in a festive mood and it has become a tradition of mine to view all of these films. I have one more to watch tonight before my yearly goal will be complete. Down below I have listed the ones I have recently watched, in the order which I viewed them, with their accompanying letter grades. Let me know your favourite films of the holiday season and whether or not you agree with my rankings (there are more on the side of this blog as well). 

Once again... MERRY CHRISTMAS fellow bloggers and readers!

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 1966, directed by Chuck Jones & Ben Washam A

A Christmas Carol, 2009, directed by Robert Zemeckis A-

Elf, 2003, directed by Jon Favreau A

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 2000, directed by Ron Howard A-

Miracle on 34th Street, 1994, directed by Les Mayfield B

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, 1999, directed by Jun Falkenstein, Bradley Raymond, Toby Shelton & Bill Speers A-

Scrooged, 1988, directed by Richard Donner B

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, 1997, directed by Andrew Knight A

Olive the Other Reindeer, 1999, directed by Steve Moore A

The Polar Express, 2004, directed by Robert Zemeckis A

Song of the Day: MERRY CHRISTMAS Edition

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wintersong, performed by Sarah McLachlan

Written by Sarah McLachlan

From the album Wintersong

Christmas time is here today, so of course another Christmas edition of "Song of the Day" is in order. This is may be a somber song, and not the most happiest of Christmas tunes, but it is hopeful and Sarah McLachlan's voice is just sublime. Her Christmas album is the one I listen to the most over the holidays just because I am a huge fan of hers and the way she morphs these popular sings to fit her voice just sounds spectacular. Have a listen and once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS y'all!

Song of the Day: Christmas Edition

Where are You Christmas? performed by Faith Hill

Written by Mariah Carey, James Horner & Will Jennings

From the album Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas Soundtrack

I just finished watching Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas not too long ago, heard this song, and figured it would be a good choice for song of the day. Taylor Momsen does a pretty good job of singing the shorter version in the film, but Faith Hill's version over the closing credits is just sublime. I have been a fan of hers for a while now and her Christmas album Joy to the World is definitely worth checking out as well. A classic song from a personal classic movie of mine, and many others I imagine. Mariah Carey also wrote it and she knows a thing or two about Christmas songs, so...BONUS!

Review: Transparent - Season 1

Jill Soloway's Transparent has been receiving a lot of attention lately and it's not hard to understand why. It has rightfully deserved it's place among the top shows of 2014 and the television season so far this year. Add to that it's recent Golden Globe nominations, and you have got every reason to check it out right now.

Being a gay male, coming out to my family was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. It's been almost three years since I have, and I can remember clearly the fear and anxiety I had that day vividly. I also remember the relief I felt afterwards and there was nothing that could compare to the feeling that everything had changed a little bit, but not for the worse. Jill Soloway beautifully captures these feelings, though this time with a man coming out to his family as Transgender. The way every character responds to this situation, and how humor is so wonderfully blended in, is what makes this show fantastic.

No family is without their set of problems within each member's life, and the way Jeffrey Tambor's "Mort/Maura's" coming out informs and deepens these relationships feels so authentic. Kudos to Gaby Hoffmann, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass and Judith Light for feeling and coming together like a real family and adding multiple layers to their crazy dynamic. I was enraptured and wholly invested in each of their stories and was fascinated to see where they led. The biggest round of applause among the cast though, must go to the courageous Jeffrey Tambor who puts forth the greatest work he's ever done. My favourite performance of his has been as "George Bluth, Sr." in Arrested Development. I have gotten more laughs out of that show than you can count, but his performance here really trumps that, and anything else he's done. The humor and bravery he brings to "Mort/Maura" is just astounding, as well as being strong, timid, masculine and feminine all at once. It's an extraordinary performance to be exact, and one I hope is rewarded with a Golden Globe next month as well as an Emmy next fall.

Jill Soloway has crafted a one of a kind show that I am so glad Amazon took a chance on. I love them enough already and they gave me another reason to add to that list. Go check it out if you can. You will not regret watching this amazing, eye opening show.

Overall Grade: A+ 

Song of the Day: Christmas Edition

Another great song to add to the Christmas "Song of the Day" catalog. Enjoy everybody!

All I Want for Christmas is You performed by Mariah Carey

Written by Walter Afanasieff & Mariah Carey

From the album Merry Christmas

This was an obvious choice for me for the next "Song of the Day" selection. Not only is it a perfect Christmas song, but Mariah Carey's voice just sounds fantastic. It avoids the more somber elements of the traditional holiday song in favour of a more frothy pop song. Combine that, with spectacular vocals, and you've got a song that will live forever on in your Christmas tune traditions. It's one of the first holiday songs I pop on to my iPod when the time comes around each year, and I am sure it always will be.

ATTENTION: Jazmine Sullivan Returns to Music

If y'all don't know who Jazmine Sullivan is, y'all best be not reading this blog anymore! 

I am SO happy she is returning to music and releasing her new album Reality Show on January 13, 2015. She is one of the most criminally underrated musicians/singers out there today. Listen to her other albums Fearless and Love Me Back to figure out what I am talking about. Her voice is that of a goddess and there is no one like her out there. She should be about 10,000x more famous than she is now and her songs should be playing everywhere. What I wouldn't give to see her live in concert!

One song that sticks out for me, that everyone should listen to is Good Enough. Download it and listen as soon as you can!

Below I have posted her new album cover and the track list:

1. Dumb (feat. Meek Mill)

2. Mascara

3. Brand New

4. Silver Lining

5. #HoodLove

6. Let It Burn

7. Veins

8. Forever Don't Last

9. Stupid Girl

10. Stanley

11. Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)

12. If You Dare

Buy this album as soon as it comes out!

Song of the Day: Christmas Edition

This should have been posted yesterday, so I am sorry about that. However, I am posting it today and that is all that matters. Another song will be posted tomorrow, don't worry! [I am speaking to all my imaginary readers out there, but for the ones that maybe do come back and check out what I am posting, these messages are for you! :)]

City of Silver Dreams, performed by Sugarland

Written by Kristian Bush, Lisa Carver, Jennifer Nettles & Ellis Paul

From the album Gold and Green

Jennifer Nettles has one of the best voices in music today. Whenever a Sugarland song, or one of her own songs, comes on to my iPod I just succumb to the glory that is her voice and let my mind drift. Not only can she sing the soft melodies really well, but also when she hits those high notes, it is like nothing else you've heard before. She is one of the few artists (along with her counterpart, Kristian Bush) that can successfully transition her voice from country songs to more steam-punk, rock oriented tunes, evident on Sugarland's last album The Incredible Machine. On their Christmas album, they combine five original songs with five classic Christmas ones and the results are fantastic. I chose this particular song because it opens the album magnificently and sets the tone for the music to follow. It transports you immediately into the snow covered, Christmas decorated city they are singing about. Looking for an album to listen to over the holidays? This is a great choice! 

Song of the Day: Christmas Edition!

I have to start posting more in my blog. I go for stretches at a time when I post a lot, and then give up because I feel I have nothing to write. That must change today! I am going to start posting "Songs of the Day" again because I love music just as much as film, TV, books and food. Here we go!

River performed by Sarah McLachlan

Written by Joni Mitchell

From the album Wintersong

Sarah McLachlan is and always will be my favourite female singer. I truly noticed and listened to her for the first time when she released the song "Fallen" and I have been hooked ever since. I own all of her albums and there is no one I get more excited to go see in concert than her. Her last show was brilliant and I look forward to hearing more of her music for years to come. The original Joni Mitchell version of this song is just exquisite, and while not directly being a song about Christmas, I am glad Sarah chose to put this song on her Christmas album. She gives it more of a spiritual, earthy tone that sounds just sublime. I hope you guys enjoy it and if you can, check out the original as well and listen to the whole of Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong" album.

Review: The Newsroom - Season 3 (The Final Season)

I've noticed quite a few people not enjoying Aaron Sorkin lately. I don't know if it's his rapid fire dialogue that everyone has gotten sick of, or if it's the fact that he chooses story lines for his shows that are inevitably going to spark controversy (which some most certainly do.) Maybe I'm naive, but to me, that makes a great storyteller and if that's the way he's making waves then more power to him. Whatever the case, I still think he's a great writer who gives his actors plenty of ripe material to chew on.

I was flabbergasted when I saw The Social Network in theaters, my mouth agape pretty much the whole time because I couldn't believe the shocking story unfolding before me. The same reaction happened while watching the second season of The Newsroom. The "Genoa" story not being truthful, the impact it had on the fictional "ACN Network" and the characters I had grown to love, was just as shocking. That's the power of Aaron Sorkin, folks. He is able to take these stories and put a spin on them that turns them into some cautionary, literary thriller and I am a sucker for those. 

When I heard The Newsroom was going to be picked up for a third and final season, I was ecstatic. The fate of these characters could not be left ambiguous after the previous season's events, and I needed them to be resolved in order to give my mind closure. Seeing that only six episodes had been ordered had me a little worrisome. I expected a lot of material to be jam packed into these final hours. To my surprise, however, a good amount of material was fashioned and executed over a reasonable amount of time. Neal being forced to flee to Venezuela to protect a source, the FBI raiding the newsroom, Will McAvoy going to jail, ACN being sold to someone else, and a tragic occurrence in the penultimate episode, was all riveting to watch and not once felt overstuffed. 

The cast has always been, and clearly were, up to the challenge with the fearless Jeff Daniels leading the way while showing Emily Mortimer, Allison Pill, Olivia Munn, Sam Waterston and the indelible Jane Fonda doing some of their best work ever. John Gallagher, Jr. Dev Patel and Thomas Sadoski were all given great material as well, but I think the females ran circles around them acting wise. 

I am going to miss The Newsroom. It was definitely a highlight of my weekly TV viewing and I hope Aaron Sorkin's claims about "not making another TV show ever" aren't true, because he is great at it. I understand this show is/was not for everyone, but if you're looking for a smart, rapid dialogue based show about the inner workings of a news network, this is the one for you. 

This is Barry, signing off.

Final Grade: B+